The best player in 2009 Nba Draft

We all obviously know Blake Griffin is best player in this draft and he is a lock to go 1st overall, but who is the best player in this draft outside of Blake Griffin ? If you asked me this 2 weeks ago i wouldved said James Harden, but he seems to dissapoint everytime the pressure is on. Makes me think, can he handle the pressure of being a Top 3 pick or will he crack on the pressure. Lately i have been really impressed by Ricky Rubio, let me say the only time i saw him play was the Olympics and the countless of Youtube Vid's. I am really impressed by this kid and he is my pick as the best player in this draft(outside of Griffin).

[IMG]http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2009/writers/ian_thomsen/03/05/europe/ricky-rubio.p1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://image.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/Monroe.jpg[/IMG]

I'm buying the Ricky Rubio hype.

As far as Greg Monroe and James Harden.. I think a lot of their success will depend on the style of the teams that they go to..

[IMG]http://www.hasheemthabeetonline.org/images/hasheem-thabeet-pictures%20(12).jpg[/IMG]

Maybe not the best but....

monroe, clark or harden

hill has an outside shot

[IMG]http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0fZTh0leRn6jz/340x.jpg[/IMG]

Ricard Rubio Vives!

My boy Flynn isn't the best but he will be a beast some day. I love watching him play.

[QUOTE=wang4three][IMG]http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0fZTh0leRn6jz/340x.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]
Gerald Henderson..:oldlol:


I agree with Papaya Petee..I like Flynn

Rubio could be another Baragnanni.
Overseas player. Seems amazing. Goes high in draft. Plays fairly well but not worth as high if a pick as we was taken.
Harden, I think Hasheem Thabeet will do well.
Tyler Hansbrough could be real good on the right team.

Flynn. i see a poor man's chris paul in him. excellent playmaking ability

Curry > Rubio

You will all see!!!

[QUOTE=wang4three][IMG]http://image.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/Monroe.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]
This guy, to me, has more potential than Griffin. Griffin is definitly the better player right now, but give Monroe a couple more years and he'll be right up there.

I also like Earl Clark (one of my favourite players). He's a very versatile player and is incredibly talented. He can run the floor extremely well, he's agile, he's quick and he's as long as anyone. He's got great length. If he measures 6'9, I really wouldn't be surprised, the guy looks like a gangly mofo out there. If he could develop some high post moves (I feel playing in the high post suits his game more, than playing in the low post does), then he should be a fine NBA player.

I don't think he is quite a top 5 player yet, but who knows, with this draft class, he could go any where.

[QUOTE=Kebab Stall]This guy, to me, has more potential than Griffin. Griffin is definitly the better player right now, but give Monroe a couple more years and he'll be right up there.

I also like Earl Clark (one of my favourite players). He's a very versatile player and is incredibly talented. He can run the floor extremely well, he's agile, he's quick and he's as long as anyone. He's got great length. If he measures 6'9, I really wouldn't be surprised, the guy looks like a gangly mofo out there. If he could develop some high post moves (I feel playing in the high post suits his game more, than playing in the low post does), then he should be a fine NBA player.

I don't think he is quite a top 5 player yet, but who knows, with this draft class, he could go any where.[/QUOTE]

To Earl Clark is the most overrated player in this draft, i think people are just overhyping him. He is a decent player but people make like he is going to something special in NBA just because he is 6-9 and can play SF. He is an avarage player who wont be anything special, i see a slightly poor man version of Thadeus Young or Marvin Williams.

Ricky is indeed the best player in the draft. His contract situation can be sticky. A good PG comes once in a while, but you can always find a competant SG or PF.

[quote=wang4three][IMG]http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0fZTh0leRn6jz/340x.jpg[/IMG][/quote]

:roll:

In all seriousness though I have never seen such a big gap from a first to second pick...

[QUOTE=Kebab Stall]This guy, to me, has more potential than Griffin. Griffin is definitly the better player right now, but give Monroe a couple more years and he'll be right up there.[/quote]

He's a fantastic player. I'll take him over Griffin. I want him to keep slipping till he falls into the Nets lap. A Lopez/Monroe frontline will be amazing.

[quote]
I also like Earl Clark (one of my favourite players). He's a very versatile player and is incredibly talented. He can run the floor extremely well, he's agile, he's quick and he's as long as anyone. He's got great length. If he measures 6'9, I really wouldn't be surprised, the guy looks like a gangly mofo out there. If he could develop some high post moves (I feel playing in the high post suits his game more, than playing in the low post does), then he should be a fine NBA player.

I don't think he is quite a top 5 player yet, but who knows, with this draft class, he could go any where.[/QUOTE]

Tweener forward. He'll need a team that can do well with those. I look at the Knicks because they're doing a hell of a lot with David Lee. In a pick and roll situation, Earl can be a mini-Amare for D'Antoni.

[QUOTE=Godfather]:roll:

In all seriousness though I have never seen such a big gap from a first to second pick...[/QUOTE]

You will remember the name Gerald Henderson. His biggest problem right now is he's horrible at going left, but if he learns how to equalize it, he'll be the best swingman prospect of this draft.

[quote=wang4three]He's a fantastic player. I'll take him over Griffin.



Tweener forward. He'll need a team that can do well with those. I look at the Knicks because they're doing a hell of a lot with David Lee. In a pick and roll situation, Earl can be a mini-Amare for D'Antoni.[/quote]
Greg Monroe doesn't have the instinct, talent, or skill to ever be better than Blake Griffin. That much is obvious to me and a majority of teams...

^^^That's great, but being the best swingman prospect of this draft isn't saying much...

[QUOTE=Godfather]Greg Monroe doesn't have the instinct, talent, or skill to ever be better than Blake Griffin. That much is obvious to me and a majority of teams...[/quote]

I've seen plenty of both players to suggest otherwise. I've talked to plenty whose opinion I respect to suggest otherwise, those in the business.

[quote]^^^That's great, but being the best swingman prospect of this draft isn't saying much...[/QUOTE]

This thread is obviously about the best players in the 2009 draft. So for this thread's topic, it is relevant.

[quote=wang4three]I've seen plenty of both players to suggest otherwise. I've talked to plenty whose opinion I respect to suggest otherwise, those in the business.



This thread is obviously about the best players in the 2009 draft. So for this thread's topic, it is relevant.[/quote]

Come on do you honestly think Gerald Henderson is a top 10 player from this draft?

Be honest...

09 draft is shiet. As a matter of fact the only reason why i wanted the knicks to make the playoffs was to give their pick away to utah.

I like Blake but after him there's nothing more than role players.

Harden is looking more and more like another Cuttino Mobley.

I called Thabeet going 2nd when the season started and that's looking very likely but he'll be lucky to be a poor mans Mutombo (and i mean broke)

Jordan Hill has some potential but it would shock me if he ended up like Wilcox. If it all goes well we'll get Nene jr.

Jennings has been a joke is high school and he will be in the nba. He's skinny and quick but he's not much of a passer and a so so scorer. He'll just end up being someones problem. (minnesota?)

Monroe has his groupies on this board but right now he's too soft to play in this league. He's got the Channing Frye syndrome and should stick around for another year or 2 of college. Like a Blake Griffin he needs to get the experience of having the ball go through him and taking his team deep in the tournament.

The guys i like in this draft are: Griffin, Aminu, Warren, Henderson and Flynn.

[QUOTE=Godfather]Come on do you honestly think Gerald Henderson is a top 10 player from this draft?

Be honest...[/QUOTE]

Ofcourse I do. I've never seen Rubio or Jennings play so I won't comment on them. I watch a lot of college ball, anyone in the college forum can attest to that. My entire night is constructed around the Davidson-St. Mary's game and watching Patty Mills vs. Stephen Curry. But all of that is just irrelevant.

I made a mistake though. Harden will be the best swing from the draft, technically, though I just do not think Harden will spend any time at the small forward slot, at least not as much as Henderson will.

[quote=wang4three]Ofcourse I do. I've never seen Rubio or Jennings play so I won't comment on them. I watch a lot of college ball, anyone in the college forum can attest to that. My entire night is constructed around the Davidson-St. Mary's game and watching Patty Mills vs. Stephen Curry. But all of that is just irrelevant.

I made a mistake though. Harden will be the best swing from the draft, technically, though I just do not think Harden will spend any time at the small forward slot, at least not as much as Henderson will.[/quote]

Then you should know Evan Turner, though lacks in overall strength, posses far greater skill than Henderson...

Do you think he is a top 10 player too?

[quote=wang4three]He's a fantastic player. I'll take him over Griffin. I want him to keep slipping till he falls into the Nets lap. A Lopez/Monroe frontline will be amazing.[/quote]

No way he gets past Indy if he slips that fall, and I'd dance in the streets if it happened. And I'm a crap dancer. The kid CAN be amazing, but he's just lackadaisical at times. That was one of my knocks on Hibbert though and that hasn't been apparent at all here. That'd be a studly G-town frontcourt.

[QUOTE=Godfather]Then you should know Evan Turner, though lacks in overall strength, posses far greater skill than Henderson...

Do you think he is a top 10 player too?[/QUOTE]

I love Evan Turner and I love the Big 10, but no he does not possess far greater skill than Henderson. He's not shown me the ability that can shoot, dribble, or finish around the rim as well as Henderson. Evan's shown me he can take over games like Gerald, but not as consistently. He's a player though, another season and he can make him a serious player.

I mean, honestly, "far greater"? How can anyone use that superlative when comparing Henderson and Turner?

[quote=wang4three]I love Evan Turner and I love the Big 10, but no he does not possess far greater skill than Henderson. He's not shown me the ability that can shoot, dribble, or finish around the rim as well as Henderson. Evan's shown me he can take over games like Gerald, but not as consistently. He's a player though, another season and he can make him a serious player.[/quote]
He is as good of a shooter (long and midrange), just as good of a dribbler (uses both hands very well), and has little less to the rim ability (because of his strength), but his rebounding (big difference), passing, and overall leadership ability are all above Henderson.

If you are going to knock to Turner's consistency ask yourself this question...Where was Gerald Henderson the entire first half of the season?

[QUOTE=InspiredLebowski]No way he gets past Indy if he slips that fall, and I'd dance in the streets if it happened. And I'm a crap dancer. The kid CAN be amazing, but he's just lackadaisical at times. That was one of my knocks on Hibbert though and that hasn't been apparent at all here. That'd be a studly G-town frontcourt.[/QUOTE]

Only 1 win separates us and we're missing Devin. I'm also rooting that TJ Ford vs. Jarrett Jack to be serious so you guys take Stephen Curry or someone else.

Give me the Thabeet, I hate overhyped guys. Guys outside the #1 pick are always the better players nowadays. Primary example. Thabeet is a staple to a team who will provide good size and defense. offense is something easier to develop rather than defense.

Durant > Oden
Roy > bargnani
Rose/Mayo > Beasley

[quote=danumber88]Give me the Thabeet, I hate overhyped guys. Guys outside the #1 pick are always the better players nowadays. Primary example. Thabeet is a staple to a team who will provide good size and defense. offense is something easier to develop rather than defense.

Durant > Oden
Roy > bargnani
Rose/Mayo > Beasley[/quote]

Rose is a #1 pick...

Poor examples otherwise when comparing this draft though...

There is a clear difference between the first (Griffin) and secondary picks in Durant/Oden's draft there were many making cases both ways, while in 06 no one was the clear favorite.

[quote=wang4three]Only 1 win separates us and we're missing Devin. I'm also rooting that TJ Ford vs. Jarrett Jack to be serious so you guys take Stephen Curry or someone else.[/quote]

Wow, just 1? Hard to believe that's it. I was thinking Indy was pretty comfortably ahead of Jersey. That Ford v. Jack thing is already done with, at least sure as hell looks like it. Has to be pretty damn hard to stay upset with Jarret Jack, dude is a jokester to the utmost. Jack's a RFA though and we may not be able to afford to keep him, so if he leaves a guy like Curry could definitely be the pick. But if it's over Monroe then I'm sending some really nasty emails.

[QUOTE=Godfather]Rose is a #1 pick...

Poor examples otherwise when comparing this draft though...

There is a clear difference between the first (Griffin) and secondary picks in Durant/Oden's draft there were many making cases both ways, while in 06 no one was the clear favorite.[/QUOTE]

Griffin and Rubio could be comparable the their distance could be really close like Oden/Durant, Okafor/Howard, etc. This draft looks deep to me. There are guys like James Harden that could match up Griffin.

[quote=danumber88]Griffin and Rubio could be comparable the their distance could be really close like Oden/Durant, Okafor/Howard, etc. This draft looks deep to me. [B]There are guys like James Harden that could match up Griffin.[/B][/quote]

You obviously haven't been watching College Basketball recently...

And what is up with Raptor fans getting excited about over hyped European prospects...

Rubio is no where near the sure thing Griffin is.

[QUOTE=Godfather]You obviously haven't been watching College Basketball recently...

And what is up with Raptor fans getting excited about over hyped European prospects...

Rubio is no where near the sure thing Griffin is.[/QUOTE]

Stats aren't everything, sure I watch Griffin he is you traditional big men but what I'm trying to say is that there is no huge distance to guys like Rubio and Harden who could potentially be 1 also. i'll simply say he is not the "clear" 1 pick

[quote=danumber88]Stats aren't everything, sure I watch Griffin he is you traditional big men but what I'm trying to say is that there is no huge distance to guys like Rubio and Harden who could potentially be 1 also. i'll simply say he is not the "clear" 1 pick[/quote]

Have you watched Harden the past month?

Even before he wasn't in Griffin's league...

No he is not the clear #1, but the only player close in Monroe because of his vast potential.

Players like Rubio, Harden, Thabeet are all in the wings because they just lack the full package.

Griffin is probably the surest player to be drafted first overall since Lebron in 03.

Ricky has potential to be a phenom in the future but he cant touch Griffin right now...Harden fell off hard and anyways isnt athletic enough to become a superstar.

No one has mentioned Derozan, this guy started the year really badly but has shown vast improvements plus he oozes with potential if he puts it all together.

I cant believe ppl are mentioning henderson. The unwritten rule is you dont draft players from Duke. Grant Hill, thats it. Thats all that school can be proud of in the pros.

[QUOTE=Godfather]He is as good of a shooter (long and midrange), just as good of a dribbler (uses both hands very well), and has little less to the rim ability (because of his strength), but his rebounding (big difference), passing, and overall leadership ability are all above Henderson.[/quote]

I don't know if you've actually seen enough Gerald Henderson. Passer? Ball handler? Evan Turner is averaging 4 TOs a game. I'll give you that he's a better rebounder, but that alone does not make him "far superior".

I like Evan. I like him a lot, but I do not think he's better than Gerald at this point. He may be in the future, but as of today, he is not.

[quote]If you are going to knock to Turner's consistency ask yourself this question...Where was Gerald Henderson the entire first half of the season?[/QUOTE]

Evan Turner is a sophomore on a team that has no senior leadership and the 2nd best player is a freshman coming off the bench. He doesn't have to deal with 7 over McDonald's All-Americans to compete for leadership. The situations are completely different. Once they told Henderson that he was to be the leader, he did not stop leading his team. Besides it wasn't even the first half of the season, it was just the non-conference schedule. Once conference play began he was a stud since.

[QUOTE=macmac]I cant believe ppl are mentioning henderson. The unwritten rule is you dont draft players from Duke. Grant Hill, thats it. Thats all that school can be proud of in the pros.[/QUOTE]
Do you know how hard it is to get into the NBA? You need to have ridiculous talent to get into the NBA, so much talent that they could play on their off hand and be better than everyone not in the NBA. Outside of UNC and possibly UConn (possibly), there aren't many colleges that really consistently pump out NBA stud after NBA stud. The fact that Duke even produces players that make the NBA should alone attest to their ability.

I don't like Duke. I really don't, never really have. I'm not the biggest Coach K fan, I think he's a bit of a phony..but I have the utmost respect for him and the university's basketball program.

It's just hard to make the NBA. Seriously.

[QUOTE=wang4three]Do you know how hard it is to get into the NBA? You need to have ridiculous talent to get into the NBA, so much talent that they could play on their off hand and be better than everyone not in the NBA. Outside of UNC and possibly UConn (possibly), there aren't many colleges that really consistently pump out NBA stud after NBA stud. The fact that Duke even produces players that make the NBA should alone attest to their ability.

I don't like Duke. I really don't, never really have. I'm not the biggest Coach K fan, I think he's a bit of a phony..but I have the utmost respect for him and the university's basketball program.

It's just hard to make the NBA. Seriously.[/QUOTE]

Look im not hating on Duke for not having enough good players in the NBA. Im hating on Duke because the players drafted from that program cant really play outside its system. Duke creates overrated player that dont pan out in the NBA. Christian Laettner, Danny Ferry,Corey MAgette, Cherokee Parks, Trajan Langdon....need I go on?

[QUOTE=macmac]Look im not hating on Duke for not having enough good players in the NBA. Im hating on Duke because the players drafted from that program cant really play outside its system. Duke creates overrated player that dont pan out in the NBA. Christian Laettner, Danny Ferry,Corey MAgette, Cherokee Parks, Trajan Langdon....need I go on?[/QUOTE]
You missed my point. The point isn't that Duke can produce NBA stars, the point is that the NBA is too hard to get into. You can't hold it against a college because the NBA is that hard to get into. Duke gets a bad rep from people cause people think it's magically easy to get into the NBA. What college guarantees stardom in the NBA?

You want to go on? You omit players like Carlos Boozer, Elton Brand, Chris Duhon, Shane Battier, Luol Deng, and Mike Dunleavy who are all doing pretty well for themselves.

Regardless you miss my point. Just cause Duke has had duds from their college doesn't mean that it'll reproduce them. If anything it only attests to how hard the NBA is.